Fluid handling devices



April 18, 1961 R. s. WADDINGTON EI'AL 2,980,300

FLUID HANDLING DEVICES Filed Feb. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I II en 01' ROGOR STRANGE wADD/Wa'Tm AND BRUCE DVV/IL A Item eya l 1953 R. s. WADDINGTON EIAL 2,980,300

FLUID HANDLING DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1957 Inventors m m m 6 A m M WL fm MMB m Q M MB w RM 2,980,300 FLUID HANDLHVG DEVICES Rogor Strange Waddington,

Fields, London, Ewell, England 6 Magdalene House, Manor and Bruce Duval, 39 Cheam Road,

The present invention relates to scaling members for containers and to containers provided with such sealing members.

An object of the present invention is to provide a form of sealing member which permits the eflicient sealing of a liquid container having, for filling the container, an aperture of very simple form.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sealing member for use with such a. container which sealing member incorporates a pourer or a fluid delivery valve.

The necessity to provide eflicient means for sealing containers for liquids has hitherto rendered it necessary to provide the containers with filling apertures of complex form and has thus rendered the containers expensive to manufacture.

. For example, the apertures of containers of the can type are provided with necks adapted to cooperate with such sealing members as plugs, screw caps or snap csures. The provision of such necks, however short, not

only renders the containers the more diflicult to manufacture but in practice renders them less durable in use. This is because although it is commercially practicable to provide containers in which the main body is coated With a thin layer of lacquer or other protective finish it is not feasible to provide a similar coating uponrthe neck. Even if the neck is fabricated from sheet material which has been given a protective coating, the coating cannot be maintained intact during fabrication of the neck and no really cheap method of coating the finished neck has/been evolved. Consequently, although the main bodies of containers of the can type usually have a substantial resistance to corrosion, this is not true of their necks which accordingly tend to corrode thus spoiling the contents and rendering the containers prematurely useless. Various attempts have been made to avoid the necessity to provide containers with necks but these attempts have so far proved unsuccessful since it has been impossible heretofore to provide sufliciently cheap and convenient sealing members which can seal simple apertures efliciently. p

In accordance with the present invention there is providcd a sealing member for a container Which comprises a plug of rubber or other elastomeric material formed With a pair of surrounding flanges whose adjacent surfaces are spaced apart in the axial direction of this plug to define a groove whose Width in the axial direction of the plug is small, in comparison with the peripheral size of the plug at the groove, the first of the flanges (a) being formed over at least a part of its axial length with a surface jwhose peripheral size" increases in the direction of the groove,

i (b) beingof-maximum peripheral size adjacent to the groove, 1

(c) having a minimum peripheral sizewhich is, at most, substantially equal to the peripheral size of the plug at the groove, and V a -(d) having a maximum pe "pheral size which is in Patented Apr. 18, 1961 an a suflicient to prevent (and preferably just allows) sufiicient deformation of the plug and the first flange to allow passage of the first flange through an aperture leading from the outside to the inside of a container, which aperture has a peripheral size which is substantially equal to that of the plug at the groove and an axial length substantially equal to said width of the groove until the first flange is located Within the container.

The invention will be understood from the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings. I

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view and Figure 2 is a top plan, of part or" a container sealed by means ofa sealing member having a liquid delivery valve positioned therein, according to the present invention,

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on line III-III of Figure 2, V

Figure 4 is a cross section of a sealing member incorporating an invaginable pourer.

' Figure 5 is a cross section of a sealing member incorporating a pourer of another type from that shown in Figure 4.

The can shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is a four gallon can of square cross section formed of lacquered tinplate and having a side wall 1 seamed to an upper wall 2 and a lower wall 3. The upper and lower walls are recessed as shown most clearly in' Figure 3 to such an extent as to accommodate the handles; when a plurality of cans of the type shown are stacked compactly together.

Near one corner of its upper wall, the can is foamed with a filling aperture, the metal around which is upset as shown to provide a conical seating surface 5 and a planar annular edge 6 which faces into the can. Located within the aperture is a hollow rubber plug 7 formed with a first flange S and a second flange 9 The second flange 9 covers the conical-seating surface Sand is formed at its outer periphery with adownwardly directed rim 10 which contacts the top wall of the can outside the conicalseating surface 5.

The first flange 8 is of uniform diameter over its upper portion and of uniformly decreasing diameter over its lower portion. The flange 8 terminates above-the lower end of the plug 7 to leave at the lower end'of the plug a short cylindrical section 11. Theupper surface of the first flange 8 and the lower surface of the second flange 9 are constructed and spaced to define a groove, 12 whose axial length parallel to the axis of plug 7 and whose bottom diameter are suchthat' the groove snugly engages the filling aperture in the upper wall of the can with the rubber of which the plug is formed being held 'under slight radial compression. At its upper end the plug is formed with an integrally moulded drip spout '13.

of the tube by a spring18 which is compressed between.

a partition 19, extending transversely of'tube 14. and which closes the tube14 near its upper end, and a button 20 which is linked with the rubber valve plate17 V by a valve rod 21/ Just below the partition 19 extending transversely of tube 14 is a further partition 22 which is formed with an airway 23 adjacent to the wall .of the tube. A liquid .delivery' port 24 and an air inlet'port 25 are formed through the longitudinal Wall of the tube--14 adjacent to the upper and lowersides. respectively of the partition 1 22diarnetrically opposite the airway 23.:

As will beseen fromfigure l the air inlet 25 and-the liquid delivery port 24 are covered by the/plug 7 when the tube is pushed inwardly toits fullestextent, With- H V thereof 7 '7 8 ,3 the tubevinthis,position,fi1ling ports 2.6 formed through 4 0;tov,form-a liquid passageway 41 and'antair passage;

the wall of the tube 14 and which are located just be- 3 'lowthe lower end of the plug 7 therefore provide conimu imlfb fi i eqef the u 11 m di the insidet of the: container 1," 2,3. "As will'be seen from I V 7 Figure l -pullin'g the tube '14 upwardlylontwardly to its fullest; extent, exposes thefluid' delivery port 24 and .the air inlet-port 25 outside'the container and simultaneif Lously co e s't efi l ports r t me can isplaced on its side andgthe tube is pulled {upwardly outwardly to its fullesfextent; a fixed'quantity V of-the-liquid is'delivered through apo1t 24; It the button 2 0 insideof;tube 141 is then'pressed'th'e'lower end of the'tube is'openedt bydepressing plate'17, and liquid flows'through the tube and out of port '24 'whilea'ir passes through port Ziand'thence via airway 23jinto1the tube a and'finallyinto the can.'-'' r V r I In order-to provide for. safety during transitfthe plug j; 1 iis 'forinedf'as shown in Figure f1 with an integr-al'tran sit' seal in'the formof a thin rubber cap??? which covers l f away when required. Q,

The 'plug 7, the tube 14 ;the upper wall of' the' can and pressing the plug assem 7 my ho e untilth'e. groove-Q12 engages the aperture as showninFigure'l r 7, 1', a W V ,Even using the transit seal, the exposedl part of the assembly projects only slightly above the ,adjaeent;seam- 30f the container; therefore, j a plurality of containers 7 similarly equippedlcan -be stackedswithout interference. 1 gThe thickness ofithe rubber layer between the bottom l 12 f e groove and the j tube' 14, andthe'dia'mete'r of w p :the flanges adjacentthe groove, are; related in such a g I glrnann'er that the maximum diametervof;the' flange is not quite snificent to prevent: the amount of ,deformation re-' jlquired to enable the first flange srrtobe passed rthrough 'theaperture inthe'uppert wall 2. 'ofth'e cantwhileg the shapejof the inner surfaceof the tubularplug l is; main- 7 f 7' .tainedponstant by the tube l4 'l n l eonsequencerfthejf plug assembly cannot bewithdl'lawn from the filling get-'1;

lure. VAny attempt to make? such WithdrawaI =causes tighter .engagement of the" edge 619i the-metal against"; a t the first flange 8. 3 Norradialcompressioncantake place; and the arrangement necessarilyfremainsazfirmtthe fact 7;

7 that the upper; portion of this; first V flange; is maintained i having aconstiantuniform'diameter materially t0, h -firmness of this engagement.

nthexrnodified form of device shown inFignrea a co-operation' with the filling aperture of a container; and

fble tubes? enables the tubeitobe invagina'tedfafter the ide' second flang d V and the transit seal 'form a rconvenient assembly which may readily be brought' intot sealing relationship with thecan by'positioning theshort} cylindrical terminal portion 11' within the aperture in contributl i V r ollow-pll g ;28; isfornjied with aifirstjsflange. 29 and a,

v rs'e nd, flange, 3Q defining therebetweerrfa" groove "31 l for 1 isiclosfiateone iend with "a thin diaphragm 32 which; 7 servesfas'a transitsealfiwithin the bore oftheplugfis' I positioned ja flexible poureratube' 33f whicliisfsealed by f i gupper endg-34' to'theiginner'surfaceiofthe plugt'- Aj ,tape 35 securedwithin the lower end of the readiIyIfieXi-Q )7 transitsejal hasiheen broken that .is','it"cangbe'f readily -t n ide oritqAihimflataljtixbe 36 which 'lines' the ide 0f;,tlfe'-plugi28 andextendsirom the;levierend 'p'osition ,:above "theigroove alserves l ffi'lf' in'enga'ge-i l v hollowirhbber plug assemblyziB' is formed way 42,'the airv passageway 'being provided at its lower end with a partition 43 which, apart from leaving a small airport-'44; totally encloses the end thereof. It de sired the partition may be formed to totally enclose the end of the air passagewayaanda small air port may be formed at p9i t 9 iXl ha all' Qfi'the i t bei be g 1' tended downwardly beyond the plug to have thei'a ir-pert formed therein; f. r 11 equal 10 1116 outer'jdiametenof flange i6=andwhieh ter '20 the outerr endof the tube 14 and {which may be torn 'minates in an inwardly directed retaining 113111 50. 7 "A short" sleeve 5I fo'rm'ed of metal or otherrigid material lines the bore of 'theplug'P' at the position of the t groove defined between the -flangesf37' and 38. 'This 7 sleevei51 is the onlypartof the device 'Which i's not 2 5 fonnedof rubber. 1:

' The device shown in FighreS may/be deformed so that 'the'trubb ertube 39 is crumpled-into" thesbo re of the 1 plug and flange 46 is retained under rirn 50f ln this conditionthe device forms a compact seal for the: aper- "ture of a containerand it will be'notedthat the sleeve 151' cannotbe contacted'by liquid in the container and need notltheretorebe formed of corrosioifr stant material; y 1 ,Ta open the c ntainerJ-the tube 39 isigpulled outfas show n in Figure 55 and the cover 45: removedby cutting ibetweenfthe flange 46 and the ridge 52,. 11 Liquid-can now be peured'through the liquid passageway flltwhile air ,fil llthusensuring steady deliveryiot theliquid-f h V F Tp close the containerth tput-ofi cover is inverted andplaced over thetend of the tube 39 with the "d8; engagedlby the ridge 5 2 W Apgrtjfrom'the air passagewaypartitiongfi, the whole of the rubber parts of the device may 'be provided in e i m'e 1 singleintegral m l ih r h rp tion 43 qan belformedas par'tjof theintegrallmoulding by making the airport large enqughto perrnitgthat part 'of '7 h mq w .p ev vd l-qq i r th .a rasa y 42'- to 'bewithdrawnfl therethrough :when elrubber is e c ed-f1} a i g he a rpo t a ye ir d s the steadiness ot delivery'ofr' the; liquidi'jj p a JWith ametal:sleeve slihaving an axial lengt t in re l,ie;1iubbertassiemb y' i he deyi eh su fi ent b ty I within, the fil ing? ape tu Q i a onever t be withdrawn; without much difficulty; Greater stability can be achieved "by providinga metallsleeve {which extends to agre'ater.distance under:thetfirstflhnge .37- a d ht ayllat t at. s de whi h pnearsztb "the left from the speeifieconstructions herein described :without rdepartingrfrom thes cope of'thetpr r weaaamr it 7 5 f lffsea'led dlspensing apparatus in ontamen which di en i dey rfitt n atheb e t s d'mua s u 1 tight relationship therewithland, urrounding said plug,

the flanges aaenfarnimga groove :betwe'en" said s'flanges,

f; ia tsuriacer :who'sef diameter '45 which projects radiallytto form a flange 46' on which a shown tainerto; prevent accidental withdrawal. '{It ca howa Q Aswillbeiappreciated various departures niay be made apai'ri tna geswhes adjacentsuriaces arq naq dap r in the directionof the plug a distance which is a V small in FCOmPa'IisoniWiLh the diameter of the phi-g Qipside increases in the direction toward the groove, being of maximum peripheral size adjacent to the groove, having a minimum peripheral size which is, at most substantially equal to the peripheral size of the plug on a section taken through the groove, and having a maximum peripheral size which is insuflicient to prevent suflicient deformation of the elastomeric material while the shape of the bore of the plug is maintained constant by said fluid dispensing device, to allow passage of the first flange through an aperture leading from the outside to the inside of a container.

2. Sealed dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the fluid dispensing device is a hollow cylinder having an apertured longitudinal wall, which cylinder is reciprocable through the plug, is formed with a pair of radial abutments defining a pair of limits for the reciprocation of the cylinder and is closed at at least one of its ends, the bore of the plug being sealed when the hollow cylinder is at one of said limits and the interior of the tube communicating via the apertured wall with the atmosphere when the hollow cylinder is at the other of said limits. I

3. Sealed dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the dispensing device is a hollow cylinder which is closed at both ends and the Wall of the cylinder is formed with apertures which lie between the abutments and which are positioned such that at least one of the apertures is located beyond one end of the tubular plug when the hollow cylinder is at one end of said limits and at least one other of the apertures is located beyond the other end of the tubular plug when the tubular plug is at the other of said limits.

4. Sealed dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 in which one end of the cylinder is closed by a valve which is adapted to be opened from the other end of the cylinder.

5. Sealed dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 in which the cylinder is formed near said other end with a pair of apertures both of which are positioned such 6 as to be exposed to the atmosphere when the abutment which is the nearer to said one end contacts the plug, a transverse partition divides the interior of the cylinder at a position between the apertures of said pair and an air passageway is formed through the partition adjacent the wall of the cylinder and diametricallyopposite said air. P 6. A liquid carrier which comprises a container formed with an aperture which leads from the outside to the inside thereof and has an axial length which is small in comparison with its peripheral size, and in sealing relationship with said aperture, a sealing assembly constituted by a tubular plug of elastomeric material, a fluid dispensing device fitting the bore of said plug in fluidtight relationship therewith and, surrounding said plug, a pair of flanges whose adjacent surfaces are spaced apart in the axial direction of the plug by a distance which is small in comparison with the diameter of the plug inside the flanges and forming a groove between said flanges the first of the flanges being formed over at least a part of its axial length with a surface whose diameter increases in the direction of the groove, being of maximum peripheral size adjacent to the groove, having a minimum peripheral size which is, at most, substantially equal to the peripheral size of the plug, on a section taken through the groove, and having a maximum peripheral size which is insufiicient to prevent suflicient deformation of the elastomeric material while the shape of the bore of the plug is maintained constant by said fluid dispensing device, to allow passage of the first flange through the aperture leading from the outside to the inside of a container until the first flange is located Within the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,761,597 Stukey Sept. 4, 1956 2,772,034 Richmond Nov. 27, 1956 2,842,291 Duval et a1. July 8, 1958 

